Every NFL offseason seems to echo the same refrain from Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott: confidence, resolve, and a pledge to be better. And every year, just as predictably, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is ready with a rebuttal that lands like a thunderclap across Cowboys Nation. This time, Smith’s frustration was as sharp as ever, unleashing a fiery critique of Prescott’s latest offseason comments in which the quarterback declared, once again, that “this is our year.”
“This man says the same thing every year!” Smith shouted on ESPN’s First Take, drawing both laughter and frustration from the show’s hosts and audience alike. “We’ve heard it all before—‘we’re ready,’ ‘we believe,’ ‘we’re built for this’—and every time, they fall flat when it matters most.”
Smith’s words reflect not just media fatigue but a broader sentiment felt by fans and critics around the league. Dak Prescott’s postseason track record, coupled with the lofty expectations placed on “America’s Team,” has created a combustible dynamic that’s easy for sports pundits like Smith to stoke.
In this 1500-word feature, we’ll examine why Stephen A. Smith’s criticisms resonate so deeply, Prescott’s response to repeated failures, the broader Cowboys context, and what the 2025 NFL season may hold for a quarterback—and franchise—perpetually stuck in neutral.
Dak Prescott’s Offseason Declaration: “We’re Coming”
Just weeks after the Cowboys were eliminated in the Wild Card round—again—Prescott appeared on The Pivot Podcast and echoed the words that have become all too familiar: “This team is different. We’re hungry. I’m not here for stats or accolades—I want to bring a Super Bowl back to Dallas.”
It’s a noble sentiment. It’s what fans want to hear. But the problem, as Stephen A. Smith and many critics point out, is that it’s nearly identical to what Prescott has said each of the past six offseasons. And like clockwork, the Cowboys have exited the playoffs early in five of those years, often underachieving despite strong regular seasons.
Smith didn’t hold back: “This man talks like a champion but plays like a pedestrian when it’s playoff time! Enough is enough!”
Stephen A.’s Ongoing Feud with Cowboys Fans
To understand the weight of Smith’s latest rant, one must appreciate his long-standing feud with Cowboys fans. For years, Stephen A. has made a career out of trolling Dallas supporters with signature sarcasm and mocking laughs every time the team falters.
He famously appears in a black cowboy hat, cigar in hand, relishing every Dallas playoff loss like a national holiday. “What can go wrong will go wrong,” Smith often proclaims—a twist on the old Murphy’s Law, tailored just for the Cowboys.
But this isn’t just shtick anymore. The frustration in Smith’s voice seems deeper, more personal. “I’ve been telling y’all for a decade,” he said. “Dak Prescott is good—but not great. He’s a $160 million dollar quarterback who’s 2–5 in the playoffs. That ain’t elite.”
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Prescott’s Playoff Problem
Statistically, Dak Prescott has been a top-10 quarterback in the NFL. He’s thrown for over 29,000 yards in his career, posted 166 touchdowns to just 65 interceptions, and maintained a passer rating in the mid-90s.
But in the postseason, his performance has been anything but inspiring:
- Playoff Record: 2–5
- Most Recent Loss: 48–32 blowout vs. the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 Wild Card round
- Turnovers in Last 3 Playoff Games: 5 interceptions, 2 fumbles
When the spotlight is at its brightest, Prescott has often dimmed. Against Green Bay, he threw two critical interceptions that buried Dallas early. The game was over by halftime, and so too was another Super Bowl dream.
“Dak doesn’t pass the eye test in crunch time,” Smith argued. “When you need a clutch moment, a defining drive, he disappears.”
A Franchise Paralyzed by Loyalty
Jerry Jones has stood by Prescott through highs and lows. The Cowboys’ owner recently expressed his “unwavering belief” in Prescott, who is entering the final year of his four-year, $160 million contract.
But is that belief blinding the organization to a harsh truth?
Smith thinks so: “Jerry Jones is loyal to a fault. He thinks Dak is Troy Aikman. He’s not. And until Jerry wakes up and gets a real killer at quarterback, Dallas ain’t going anywhere.”
The Cowboys boast elite talent across the board—Micah Parsons, CeeDee Lamb, Trevon Diggs, and a top-five offensive line. Yet, with all that firepower, they’ve failed to make even a conference championship appearance during Prescott’s tenure.
Inside the Locker Room: Do the Players Still Believe?
Sources inside the Cowboys organization have suggested a growing sense of urgency—if not outright frustration—among the team’s core.
Micah Parsons, speaking candidly on his own The Edge podcast, said, “We have everything we need. It’s not about adding more talent. It’s about execution and mental toughness.”
While Parsons didn’t call out Prescott by name, the message was clear. It’s no longer enough to talk the talk. Dallas needs someone to walk them into the Super Bowl.
Stephen A. echoed that sentiment: “Dak is the CEO of the hype machine, but he’s not delivering results. And his teammates are starting to feel it.”
Prescott Fires Back: “I’m Not Going Anywhere”
In response to critics like Stephen A., Prescott stood his ground.
“I get it. The noise is loud. But I’ve been counted out my whole life,” he said in a recent interview with The Athletic. “I’m not ducking the pressure. I welcome it.”
Prescott also pointed to his stats: over 4,300 passing yards and 36 touchdowns last season. He was second in MVP voting, trailing only Patrick Mahomes.
“This isn’t about talent,” Prescott said. “It’s about moments. And I’m working harder than ever to own those moments.”
Can 2025 Be Different?
With Mike McCarthy returning as head coach—despite persistent questions about his conservative game management—the Cowboys enter 2025 facing a fork in the road.
Offensively, they’ve added depth at running back and tight end. Defensively, Dan Quinn is gone (now head coach of the Commanders), but Dallas promoted from within to maintain continuity.
Still, the question remains: can Prescott rewrite his postseason legacy?
Stephen A. doesn’t think so: “You can put gold rims on a busted car—it’s still gonna stall when you hit a hill. That’s Dak. He’s shiny in the regular season, but he breaks down when it counts.”
What If the Cowboys Don’t Deliver?
This could be a make-or-break year for Prescott. Without a contract extension, he’s poised to become a free agent in 2026 unless Dallas franchises him or reaches a new deal.
If the Cowboys underperform, Jones could be forced to rethink everything—coaching staff, quarterback, front office dynamics.
For Stephen A., the future is crystal clear: “If the Cowboys come up short again, and Dak’s at the center of that collapse, they have no choice. It’s time to move on. Period.”
A Fanbase on the Brink
Cowboys fans are famously loyal—but also famously impatient. The last Super Bowl win came in 1996. Nearly 30 years have passed since Dallas reigned atop the NFL. Fans are hungry, and the honeymoon with Prescott may be nearing its end.
Stephen A. left them with a warning:
“You can chant ‘How ’Bout Them Cowboys?’ all you want. But if Dak doesn’t get it done this year, that window slams shut. You’ll be watching the Eagles and 49ers rule this conference for the next decade.
